OKANAGAN UNITED FC BCSPL PROGRAM FAQ
OUFC prides itself on running a transparent BCSPL program that focuses on developing players for its teams and ensuring that information is readily available to players aspiring to play at the highest level of youth soccer in BC. This FAQ will be updated as necessary. We hope this will serve to answer questions for those already in the program and those looking to join it.
BC SOCCER ASSOCIATION AUTHORED BCSPL FAQ
If your child is keen to compete in the highest level of youth development community soccer and/or aspires to represent their country, play at a university, semi-professional, or professional level, then the BCSPL is an environment that aims to support their development and offer opportunities for identification into these higher levels of play.
BCSPL participating clubs must meet the CSA National Youth Club License standards. See Link: Canada Soccer National Youth Club Licence As well as the BCSPL Rules and Regulations.
See Link: BCSPL Rules and Regulations 2024
The BCSPL is recognized as the highest level of youth development community soccer and is the final step into higher-level playing environments such as the Provincial Program as well as semi-professional, professional and national youth programming.
Players are identified and selected to the program through the BC Soccer identification network which includes the following options:
1. BCSPL Club Team Head Coach recommends players to the Club’s Technical Director, who in turn recommends the players to BC Soccer.
2. The player is identified in a BCSPL match by a BC Soccer’s soccer development staff member.
3. The player is identified in a BCSPL match by a professional youth programming staff member.
4. The player is identified by a Canada Soccer’s youth national programming staff member.
5. The player is identified on their prior performance within the BC Soccer Provincial Program.
GENERAL
OUFC (Okanagan United Football Club) is the interior regional representative of the BCSPL (BC Soccer Premier League) also known as the HPL (High Performance League). The BCSPL is the highest level of youth soccer within the province. OUFC is one of the 8 founding members of the BCSPL. It is supported by both BC Soccer and the Whitecaps as a pathway for higher level players. OUFC is the only BC Interior representative within the league and the ONLY Interior Club that holds the Canada Soccer National Youth Club License. The OUFC mission is to fulfill our player’s needs by becoming an organization committed to excellence and advancement in the discipline of soccer. Our goal is to create an active and healthy community by focusing on children and youth in harmony with Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development Model
OUFC BCSPL has a year-round focus and plays in a higher-level league than the select programs. The BCSPL is two steps up from the TOYSL League (Select B) in terms of competition level. Coaches must meet minimum coaching standards. The annual schedule follows a periodization plan laid out by BC Soccer. OUFC BCSPL competes for the Premier Cup as opposed to the A and B provincial cups.
All of the TOYSL clubs have representation in the OUFC programs. OUFC has its own Select and Community level stream and strives to develop and draw from its own pathway wherever possible. OUFC appreciates and supports all of the Interior clubs in their efforts to promote their talent to OUFC in the BCSPL for the top level of player development. OUFC also has representation from other areas of the interior.
It is the goal of BC Soccer to continue to be committed to a comprehensive approach to improve player development in British Columbia, ultimately, to make Canada a stronger soccer nation. Part of the broad-based plan was the creation and development of a High Performance League in BC. This league is known as the “BC SOCCER PREMIER LEAGUE”. The BC Soccer Premier League will deliver on the following key development initiatives:
2024-25 OUFC BCSPL Season Information Outline
Training:
Training for the Fall Phase will begin the week of August 5. For existing OUFC BCSPL (TOFC) ages groups (2007 thru 2011) training remains centralized in Vernon. ***Post TOFC/KU merger age groups (2012 and beyond) will be based in Kelowna. Team schedules will be sent out as soon as field scheduling has been completed. Goalkeepers will have position specific training on a weekly basis as well as their team training. Goalkeeping sessions will begin in September (potentially August at some point depending on field allocation).
We are currently in the process of putting together the training schedules for all OUFC teams. We do our best to keep training times consistent, but there are challenges such as field availability, coach availability, field maintenance closures, changing light conditions, the time change, and weather that can force unavoidable changes from month to month or even week to week. Training schedules are released to the teams at the earliest possible times for each period.
During preseason (either in August or during the second phase preseason in January/February), we will be attempting to get all new players scheduled in with Movement Okanagan of Kelowna for a pre screening program that identifies and addresses pre-existing injuries and provides information on preventative measures for lessening injury risk during training. Movement Okanagan is a club partner with multiple physiotherapists that service the club’s players. Physiotherapists work with injured OUFC athletes to enhance their ability to return to the field as quickly as possible. Athletes needing immediate treatment during the soccer season can see Movement physiotherapists who are committed to getting the athletes of OUFC in for treatment as quickly as possible. In addition to this expedited treatment process for all OUFC athletes, these physiotherapists are also providing their treatments to the athletes of OUFC at a discounted rate.
Game Schedule:
Home game fields are in Kelowna, Vernon, and Kamloops generally and move around depending on the league schedule. Okanagan grass fields re open late April and close late October. Games outside of this window are always away and on the Coast.
Post-merger teams (2012 and younger) will predominately play home games in Kelowna.
Phase 2 Schedule September to mid November:
The Phase 2 schedule is tentatively set to start the weekend of September 7/8. Many of our games this phase will be home games. Thanksgiving weekend, October 12/13, is an off weekend for games.
Our 2012, 2011, and 2010 teams will be playing in the Premier International Cup in Surrey on the Labor Day Weekend.
Premier International Cup schedules and regular game schedules will be made available as soon as we have them.
We will break just after the final season games in late November until January 2025.
Winter Training:
For winter training (January and February), we try to limit travel as much as possible each week, so there is one regional training session set up somewhere near the players’ main home area and one team session indoor in Vernon (Kelowna for 2012s). This cuts training travel down when the roads are potentially snowy.
There will also be a weekly Strength and Conditioning session in the players’ home area. January training will begin the week of January 6, 2025, with Regional sessions during the week in the various major regions (Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon, Kamloops) and team training for 2011-2007 teams indoor at the Vernon Toyota Indoor Sports Centre on the weekends (Sundays) or at the Mission or Rutland Domes in Kelowna for 2012 teams. Winter Regional sessions are mornings, before school.
2025 Phase 1 late February thru June
Games will likely start up the weekend of February 22/23 (to be confirmed).
Games prior to our Okanagan fields opening all take place on the Lower Mainland, so you can expect weekly game travel until mid-late April.
Travel itineraries are sent to Team Managers during the week prior to travel, generally on the Tuesday or Wednesday. Players, coaches, and managers travel (and stay over as a team if necessary), and all adults on the buses are CRC cleared. Female teams all have female managers.
Spring Break for 2025 is PROJECTED to be Monday March 18 thru Friday, March 29 in the Okanagan region. Good Friday is Friday March 29. Spring Break on the Coast is also March 17-28 in 2025. March 22-23 weekend is the most likely weekend over Spring Break with no games, BUT, this is not confirmed at this point in time.
Easter Break 2025 is Good Friday April 18 to Easter Monday April 21. Some teams play over Easter, so it is not a guaranteed OFF weekend. 2009-2008 teams will play at the Premier Showcase in Surrey/Burnaby over Easter and 2011-2009 and 2007 teams MAY have league games that weekend as well.
BC Provincial Premier Cup playoffs take place in June, culminating in the Premier Cup final on the third weekend of June.
2025-26 Evaluations follow in July.
TEAMS & TEAM SELECTION
OUFC BCSPL evaluations take place after BC Soccer Provincial Premier, A and B Cups are finished in mid-July. Dates are posted under the Schedules tab once confirmed each year.
BCSPL Development teams (U13) are evaluated annually at the end of June.
20 is the maximum unless there’s an exemption from the BCSPL Manager for specific reasons (i.e.: Players released from Whitecaps programs). The minimum roster size is 14.
OUFC may offer players that are in a lower level or outside of the club an opportunity to train with our BCSPL teams 1-2 times per week to support their development and build our depth. Training players pay a fee to train with the BCSPL team and must always honor their commitment to their own team over training with the BCSPL team when there is a conflict in training times.
Players joining OUFC BCSPL teams from other clubs can do so up until May 31 (the end of Phase 1 of the BCSPL season). Players cannot join another BCSPL club from June 1 until the end of Phase 2 which is generally around the end of November. Players who are already OUFCplayers can join our BCSPL teams at any point in the BCSPL season if selected to do so.
We are constantly watching players from within our club (other level OUFC teams) and inviting them into our training environment. As far as for players outside of our club, there is a form on our website that allows those players to request to be considered for our BCSPL teams. We follow up on those requests with the other club’s TD and work with their current clubs to facilitate considering them.
No player at OUFC is given any type of advantage over others in terms of team selection. This applies for any level of play and applies regardless of whether the player is related to a staff member, a Board member, or anyone else. OUFC does NOT have parent-coaches at the BCSPL level.
This allows the coach to coach their team, and the players to play without parents trying to coach their kids or make comments to the coach. Cheers the players, but you are not the certified, professional coach, so please keep opinions regarding play to yourself.
The 48 hr rule is an important part of any sport. It allows a cool-down period where parents and coaches can then have a discussion without tempers getting in the way.
COACHING
Coaches have a minimum of a National C license and are enrolled in the National B Diploma course. Current coaches are licensed up to UEFA A level
Yes, all coaches are contracted and receive a monthly amount for their services as certified, professional coaches with wide-ranging experience.
All teams (boys and girls) are applying the preferred Methodology taught at the CSA Youth License course.
Yes. We actively work to find, mentor, and educate/license new female coaches and assistantswith BCSPL or pre-BCSPL teams.
Yes. The TD holds bi-annual meetings with each coach and also allows the coaches to provide feedback on their progress. TD mentorship on field at training session and games is a key aspect of our coach development. The TD is communicates with all the coaches weekly at training sessions to gauge where the players are currently trending.
Coaches spend 2 years with their BCSPL team as a general rule. The final decision on all coaching decisions for all OUFC teams (BCSPL or otherwise) rests with the TD .
We have purchased 5 VEO cameras so almost all home games are recorded. OUFC receives away game footage for most games from our opponents as per BCSPL guidelines.
PLAYER INFORMATION AND EXPECTATION
The BCSPL requires a minimum of 30% playtime over a phase. OUFC’s own guideline is 50% playtime for the first BCSPL age groups (U13 and U14), 40% at U15, and 30% at U16, U17, and U18 where players are competing for university attention and offers.
OUFC supports the CSA Long-Term Player Development Model, which states: "Soccer is the primary sport, but complimentary sports are encouraged which support movement and athleticism suitable to soccer..."
So yes, you can play other sports, but players must make OUFC soccer programming their primary commitment. Players are expected to be in attendance for all training sessions and games. The actual interpretation of what level of commitment is required will be up to the Technical Director and will vary somewhat with the age of the player.
Coaches dealing with injured players and lower numbers can call up players after discussing it with the TD. The invitation to the player being called up comes from the TD.
That is communicated by the coaches when being called up and is based on whether they are playing another game on the same day/weekend.
Yes. There will be players that might be called up to play and it is at the discretion of the coach and TD. You may see players being permanently moved up during the season if the TD thinks it is warranted. This is an elite environment where there can, and should be, competition within the team for playing time.
We would prefer to do this at the end of Phase 1 (June). We could do this within a Phase though if the parents and TD agree that it is in the best interest of the player.
UNIFORMS
In an effort to control costs for participants at this level due to the high costs of travel associated with playing in the BCSPL, Jerseys are on a 4-year cycle and passed down annually from team to team. Track Suits are on a 2 year cycle. Backpacks are expected to last for the duration of the player’s time at the BCSPL level. Shorts, socks and training shirts are issued annually. All items are available for purchase as extras if so desired. Lost Jerseys must be replaced at the player’s expense.
Yes. Contact club staff to order more kit.
No. Players must have the same kit for training and games, and we have found that opting out causes considerable logistical issues. We review our kit orders each year to try to ensure good value while meeting expectations for kit. Suppliers expect us to book most kit items 8-10 months ahead of when they are actually distributed to players.
PRACTICE FIELDS
2012 teams and younger as they enter the BCSPL program will be based in Kelowna.
2011 to graduating age (grade 12) remain based in Vernon.
TRAVEL
BCSPL teams play HOME games in Kelowna, Vernon and Kamloops. Fields in the Okanagan are available for gameplay on grass mid-to-late April through late October. As BCSPL play occurs September through November and late February through June, teams will travel most weekends for games that fall outside of HOME field availability.
Teams travel to all away league matches by chartered bus with professional drivers.
No, parents are to stay at a different hotel to allow players to bond and get to know each other.
No, parents are not to enter their child’s room unless there is an emergency. In an emergencyplease contact your team manager. Your child’s safety is our priority.
No, players are not permitted to leave the hotel unless there is an emergency.
OUFC COMMUNICATION/ADVOCACY
In terms of communication, BCSPL teams all have their own club provided TeamSnap, bi-annual meetings, and regular day-to-day emailed information distribution. All players have end-of-phase feedback communication with their coach. In terms of transparency, we have a thorough description of the program on our website, including all-inclusive pricing and our expectations for those in the program. We conduct an annual, anonymous survey with all BCSPL families to solicit feedback. Our goal is to provide the utmost transparency within our BCSPL program.
Municipal governments provide most of the field supply in the Okanagan and are quite responsive to input from the public. Club staff regularly give feedback for the local field-sport strategy. OUFC parents can help by to completing surveys that club staff send out to members that allow for field advocacy and to attend public meetings that are typically held to solicit opinions on potential new field sites.
TOURNAMENTS
OUFC provides one tournament as part of yearly programming. If teams would like to attend additional tournaments that do not conflict with BCSPL programming, the TD must ensure that the tournaments are sanctioned, of the appropriate level, and that they are during the allowable dates as per the BCSPL schedule.
The Technical Director makes this decision.
Outside of the included tournament, parents cover all associated costs for tournaments and any other add-ons they wish to consider that is approved by the TD and the team. The fee charged for BCSPL covers BCSPL activities like training, league play and Cup play. Should teams advance to Nationals at U15 or U17, this would not be covered and would entail an additional charge to those attending.
Yes, but all fundraising efforts must be approved by the Executive Director. No reasonable fundraising projects will be refused.
EXHIBITION GAMES (OFF-SEASON AND LONG WEEKENDS)
This is possible but would need to confirm to the annualized training plan for each team and would also be subject to field availability. Opponents and games need to be approved by the Technical Director. BCSPL teams cannot play down levels at their own age group.
We are carefully checked by CSA as per the amount of play in a season.
REGISTRATION FEES
The current BCSPL program fee is $3850 per year but this is subject to change from year to year. Fees are comprised of a non-refundable Commitment fee of $650 (due upon selection in July) which covers player kit and the first month of fees (August) followed by the remaining $3200 which can be paid monthly September through June ($320 per month by preauthorized debit agreement only)
Player fees include: ● Travel to and from the Coast via chartered bus with professional drivers ● Hotel stays when required by BCSPL programming ● All game and training related costs such as outdoor fields, indoor fields, equipment, referees, BCSPL League Fees, BC Soccer Insurance and Registration costs ● Coaching fees ● Technical support from BCSPL lead ●Physio, kinesiologist support ● strength and conditioning programming ●Home and Away jersey ● Training shirts ● Shorts & Socks ● Track Jacket & Track Pants ● One Tournament/Showcase included in BCSPL player fees ● Program administration costs
There can be, but only for items chosen over-and-above BCSPL fees
The OUFC BCSPL Financial Assistance Fund (FAF) is available for any BCSPL-level players experiencing financial hardship.
Yes, OUFC does not turn away any player.
Families can apply to the OUFC Financial Assistance Fund, KidSport, Jumpstart, Athletics4Kids, ISPARC Indigenous Grants, etc., which then connect with OUFC with funding assistance
PRE-BCSPL (U13)
OUFC operates a BCSPL Development Program for U13s that program that mimics BCSPL to a large degree. The team is coached by qualified OUFC staff coaches and the training load is the same as BCSPL. We play games against other in cooperation with other BCSPL Clubs operating their own BCSPL Development teams and against local select level teams 1-2 years up to prepare for playing 11 v 11 at U14 at the highest level.
Players on these teams get the same uniforms and kit as our BCSPL teams and have the same home-game game-day experience.
